What are /r/UKFrugal's favorite Products & Services?

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

You can buy hand washing bags if you don't want to use the sink. If you have few clothes is just fine, they are used by people that live off grid

Edit: for instance : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Laundreez-Portable-Clothes-Washer-Transparent/dp/B013C98X72/ref=asc_df_B013C98X72/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=217951975137&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14948249674390735305&hvpone=&hvptwo=&...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/enabled-Complete-Dell-OptiPlex-Computer/dp/B012AUCJ8I here you go. Refurbished and getting on a bit, but would be suitable for day to day tasks like word processing and light internet use. Stick a ssd in it and it would fly though. Lots of other deals for refurbished computers on Amazon, but this one comes with a monitor as well.

Thetrainline has a farefinder page for some routes which will show the cheapest tickets across a date range:

https://www.thetrainline.com/farefinder/

This is technically difficult to show, which is why sites don't usually do it. To find out the cheapest fare available, the national rail reservations system must be queried to ask which types of ticket are available. That reservations system doesn't let you just bulk query all the data for all days (I guess that would overload it, or they don't want their ticket sales data revealed so easily). Instead the above best fare finder shows you results of ticket searches other people have done in the last few hours or days.

There are a few ways to extend the life of your razors, so you can use the good stuff, but make them last long! Check out this method for example: here.

For flights, the Matrix ITA tool is excellent. You can set a range of dates, durations and differing departure and destination airports. You could also subscribe to Newsletters like Jack's Flight Club UK and Scott's Cheap Flights. Finally, for accommodation airbnb might be helpful.

I'll recommend this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Astonish-Cooktop-Cleaner-Sponge-250g/dp/B07B4CQJVP/ref=asc_df_B07B4CQJVP/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=427942014653&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10072027476108146049&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt...

To be honest, I play around depending on what level of spiciness I want. I always had cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, paprika, garlic, onion, and whatever else tickles my fancy!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/taco-seasoning-i/ looks good, though

I have a 4G router with a Three SIM because the coverage here is excellent and unlimited data is cheap. Take a look at the TP-Link Archer MR200, it's what I use and it's an excellent little router.

This is the vibe. Just like the one I got https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cosi-Luxury-Electric-Heated-Blanket/dp/B07FF6B5F9/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=MW60DYM9HTR4&keywords=heated+throw+blanket&qid=1661812250&sprefix=heated+throw%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-3

I've been using spigen's clear case for my last two phones they're great. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LKGYSGG/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_glt_fabc_DTYA8PB6ZGFG69TBZYKH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

In answer to your actual question, i have phone insurance from my bank account (natwest reward silver)

My wife and i both get coverage on our joint account for £10/mo and it also provides travel insurance in Europe, and you get cashback on your bills so it's pretty good value

I would get a Kindle Paperwhite, the only differences between that and the Signature Edition is:

8 > 32 GB

Wireless Charging

Auto-adjusting front light

No advertisements

They're £180 on Amazon but honestly, it might be the best device for reading in general.

I spent a bit of time researching cars and managed to find a bargain last time.

The most reliable cars are apparently 4 cylinder petrol Honda with auto box. I saved a search on gumtree for private sales only and found a 2001 Honda Accord that was owned by a 70 year old man. He was the second owner having bought the car at approx 2 years old. Checking the MOT history, i could see it had done a steady 3,000 miles per year since he bought the car and had nothing untoward on the advisories.

It cost me £600 and in the past two years i have only had to put in fuel and changed oil, filters, tyres and windscreen wipers.

The only issue is the tax (£240 per year) and fuel economy (approx 32mpg). But as I only do around 6,000 miles per year buying a more modern car would be much more expensive overall.

Take a look at this one for example:-

https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda/honda-civic-for-sale/1345282246

If your phone is a smartphone consider FBReader instead of a kindle. It can read ebook files and has far more options than the kindle app. I use it for loads of guttenberg and out of copyright files.

I have this one for chilly nights on the sofa:

MONHOUSE Heated Throw - Electric Blanket - Digital Controller - Timer up to 9 hours, 9 Heat Settings, Auto Shutoff - Machine Washable - Double 130X200cm - Grey Shearling https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096QR5W3H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_EV9VZ8BHZP3QM34JKT61?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It's big enough to wrap around me completely, which I have done while working from home. It's a bit pricey but very cosy!

I used TunnelBear for Argentina, their cheapest plan works out at around £3.5 with tax but it's not even HD. The only person watching in our household is our toddler and she can't get enough of Cocomelon.

I can't vouch for the reliablility of it but something like this might do the job as it doesn't rely on a smartphone.

If you want to go even further and a bit manual, devices like these only displays an estimated calories burnt based on the steps done. So what you can do is to buy an extremely simple step pedometer without any fancy functions, and then refer to a site like this before bed time, or when you get home from work and note down the calories burn based on how many steps your pedometer says.

I'm not an expert in this area by any means, but just figured I can assist as I was looking at one of the Mi Bands to gift to my dad and came across this topic.

A bit of a different answer. Why don't you get one of these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GVFOQRK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_pSFmCbBAESXPM

For a one off cost, you'll never need to buy loo roll again. It'll leave you cleaner as well. Win win.

check on gumtree, facebook marketplace, and theres cheaper on amazon too.i got mine for about £50 from amazon warehouse. originally 56.99. i didnt know about this before but yeah, they resell nonfaulty returns. mine said that the packaging was damaged and may have small cosmetic damage but when it turned up it was perfect. not a single thing wrong with it.

Such a great idea, thank you!

Just used TunnelBear to get YouTube Music Premium for £1 a month!

The only difficulty was the pincode for billing address, had to use this list for a valid city combination:

I've been using this Three data sim since last years Black Friday and very happy with it. It is possible to buy 24GB package for ~£30 when it is on sale. Data lasts for 2 years after activation and tethering is only available in the UK. Just make sure you're in Three's network coverage before getting the sim though.

Betron Retro Over Ear Headphones

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https://smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075CCWQ3F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm aware some people wear a little plastic structure under their masks. I think it's mostly to protect their lippy but perhaps something to stop the material being flat against your mouth/nose would make it more breathable?

Here's an example https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mask-Bracket-Oceantree-Accessories-Large-Adult/dp/B08CK6W57M

Garlic will grow just like spring onion. Some lettuces will also start sprouting in water.

Potatoes will grow from an eye, just cut it out, put in a dark dry place, when you see some roots bury it.

There's a good book by a young UK gardener Huw Richards called Grow Food For Free. If you can't afford the book, he has a great youtube channel where he covers some of the stuff in the book.

Just buy this without a second thought. I have the band 4 for over an year and it is more than the money it costs.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/HONOR-Trackers-Activity-Exercise-Pedometer/dp/B07Y614WRS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=25EDZ7WH3KP1S&dchild=1&keywords=honor+band+5&qid=1596482014&s=electronics&sprefix=honor+band%2Celectronics%2C157&sr=1-3

I assume you mean headphones? Earphones are the in-ear ones.

In any case I'd recommend these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-206-Stereo-Headphone/dp/B01N7S0IPR

Nice sound for the price and definitely capable of damaging your ears with enough volume.

I've had this one from Amazon before too: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07LC1BNSF/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7BvtFb5VPY4TK

It worked well. I'm not convinced it is actually that money saving though unless you cook / buy in extreme bulk. I mainly use mine with my sous vide.

I found these on Amazon and honestly can't tell the difference between them and branded ones:

FIRIK Toothbrush Heads Compatible Replacement for Oral B - Pack of 16 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0749MNW3N/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QGjrFb5N01ZZC

I get the McCafé breans from Amazon, I love McD's coffee. https://www.amazon.co.uk/McDonalds-McCafe-Premium-Medium-Ground/dp/B01N78SACR/

Ive just purchased a Targus Work + Fitness backpack from Amazon which seems to suit your needs - it is currently on promotion for £45. 27L capacity.

Ill add a link to this post (on mobile at the moment)

Targus Work + Play Fitness Backpack with Protective Sleeve Designed for Gym and Sports use fits up to 15.6-Inch Laptop, Grey (TSB94404EU) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074269MCM/ref=cm_sw_r_apa_i_39SQDbVYF3AVV

I got this from Pet Planet for less than £40. The fat bastards have broken a wee bit on it already but a 2l bottle filled with water holds it up easily. I’ve also swapped the round bed to where the white dangly thing is so it’s more secure but still a bargain.

We also have this which has been battered for 5 years by 3 5kg cats and partially chewed by a 2.5kg chihuahua. It was around £45.

You can cook normal pasta in a food flask, just pour in water from the kettle, put the lid on, and leave it a bit longer than it normally takes to cook (you'll need to experiment). Pasta doesn't need boiling water to cook fully. You could mix it up with couscous, maybe get a rice cooker (great things for cooking rice anyway). If the kettle doesn't cause problems then I'd expect that a rice cooker shouldn't! A rice cooker will also steam vegetables.

Thanks. I was looking at this sistema one but wondering if it's too big for small portions : Sistema Microwave Rice Steamer, 2.6 L - Red/Clear https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BTIVNT4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6dySzb8EJCV1W

Heed Lars Kroijer and read his book or Tim Hale's <em>Smarter Investing</em>.

Subscribe to /r/UKPersonalFinance and read it every day.

I bought these clippers 3 years ago and am quite impressed with them. That kit has way more combs than I'll ever use.

I used to cut my hair with a battery-powered beard trimmer, but having switched to mains-powered, I'll never go back. These are so much better than my last ones.

I would guess you should look at this for a starting point then see if you can beat it